skywalkers

CHITOWN STAND UP! My name is MidWestMelly and I am the latest addition to the Nikkisiixx Team, and your new Windy City representative. ***Insert 20 “applause” emojis*** (Thank you, thank you). I proudly present you with a biweekly feature called: #MIDWESTBEST. I’ll be blessing your ears and eyes with the finest, freshest and flyest reviews on up and coming artists from my Hometown, CHICAGO! So without further ado… let’s get this thing poppin’!

If the city of Chicago was a portrait, the skyline would be its most colorful and creative focal point. Even in the city’s coldest and darkest months, there is something about that skyline that is symbolic of the soul that exists within its jagged outline. Chicago artist, A-Hi, lyrically paints a picture of this feeling with his introductory track off of the recently released album, Skywalkers.

“I’m lifted, can’t come down if I try. Don’t want to fix this. I’m addicted to this life, I can’t lie. And now I’m so high, I take a walk through the sky.” – A-Hi

There is something about this track that just makes me feel good. It makes me want to jump in my ride right now. I want to take a trip to the city with my windows down while feeling the breeze flowing through my hair. It makes me want to catch the skyline right at sunset and visualize that I am… well… Skywalking.

I love the meaning behind A-Hi’s lyrics on the track and the original vocals by Lisa Movado and Isaiah Jones only heighten the symbolic wordplay. The beat and production by Ray White is timeless. I can also appreciate the filiming by Kool Guy w/Eaze and flawless editing by Tone Famous. As a fan of music and the message it inspires, the vision that is provided through video is something that can leave an everlasting impression when it is done correct!

The album is an overall solid project and includes many features such as: Berner (Taylor Gang) on “Blown”, Vic Spencer on “Oh My”, and Alex Wiley (Save Money) on “Mind Elevation”. One of the highlights include, “Who Am I”, a song where A-Hi introduces himself and his story of becoming an artist including the lessons he has learned along the way. “Like That” produced by R.A.D. is ILLer than Illinois and I definitely caught myself zonin’ to “So Lit” which has a very chill vibe. “The City of Chicago” is a personal favorite specifically because it has an especially soulful beat and showcases A-Hi’s signature Windy City flow. Check out the dope artwork on the cover which represents A-Hi’s icon as “The HaveNaut”.

“It’s human nature to want more than what we have, and unfortunately, most of us never get it. The HaveNaut (derived from astronaut) reflects the idea of exploration of the mind and spacing out to escape these harsh realities.” – www.thehavenaut.com